The cultivation market in Baixi City is not large, with only about a dozen shops. They sell materials, talismans, magical artifacts, and elixirs. The major shops are familiar with each other, and someone like Shen Wang, who often visits, is naturally not a stranger.
As soon as Shen Wang entered the market, many people greeted him.
Now gradually gaining some skills, Shen Wang no longer hid them, walking briskly down the somewhat deserted street, only glancing at the few stalls on both sides.
Catching a glimpse of an old figure out of the corner of his eye, Shen Wang looked again.
It was the one-eyed old man from whom he first bought talisman paper, someone he hadn’t seen for some time.
He didn’t stop, as he now collaborated with the Celestial Commerce Association and required large quantities, so he no longer needed to buy from small stalls.
Upon entering the Celestial Commerce Association, Shen Wang slightly froze.
Not coming today, there’s been a huge change here.
The originally over-three-zhang-tall hall was now empty, with most shelves and counters gone, and only one maid remained out of the three or four, giving the impression of the place about to close down.
He frowned at the maid packing things, noticing that most items were being put away, and asked, puzzled, "Xiaoyin, are you closing down?"
"Oh, Master Shen, we’re preparing to close the shop. The shopkeeper probably hasn’t had the chance to tell you yet."
The maid looked up, sighed, and politely responded as she stood up.
"Is Paper Kite here?"
Shen Wang didn’t ask further, thinking he could understand the situation when he saw Paper Kite later.
"The shopkeeper is in the backyard checking the inventory."
Shen Wang proceeded towards the backyard on his own, only to be stopped by a middle-aged man in blue, who coldly said, "You must be a guest, right? This is a private area; you are not allowed to enter without permission. We hope you won’t wander around."
Shen Wang calmly replied, "I am not an outsider. I’m the husband of your shopkeeper, here to meet her for something. You must be new here."
The man in blue looked at Shen Wang in surprise, sensing his cultivation level at the late-stage Qi Cultivation. It seemed that the shopkeeper here had indeed found a cultivator from outside to be her husband, so he was likely not deceiving him.
Since he was only protecting the transport of goods, there was no need to offend anyone. His expression softened slightly, although he still didn’t let Shen Wang in.
He said seriously, "I’ll inform Shopkeeper Paper Kite right away, but you should wait here and not rush in, as we’re checking the goods inside. If anything is misplaced, it could easily cause misunderstandings."
"Go and report it, then."
Shen Wang glanced inside, indeed spotting lots of items being sorted.
If the Celestial Commerce Association were to give up this shop, they would definitely need to check it thoroughly from start to finish. He did need to avoid causing suspicion.
Before long, accompanied by the sound of light footsteps, Paper Kite appeared, apologizing, "Husband, the guard didn’t know better; please don’t be upset."
"They’re just following procedures; there’s nothing to be upset about."
Shen Wang smiled, "What’s going on with you all? I remember you just opened a shop here, so why are you in such a hurry to leave?"
"It’s a long story, husband. Please come to the room, and I’ll explain."
Paper Kite, her brow slightly furrowed, appeared quite troubled.
In an elegantly decorated room, surrounded by various polished redwood furniture, Shen Wang sat beside an incense burner, the faint scent wafting through his nostrils, listening as Paper Kite next to him explained the reasons.
Hearing more about it, Shen Wang’s expression turned to surprise, followed by a frown, "I didn’t expect such significant changes in the commerce association. Looks like you can take a break to improve your cultivation."
"That’s about the only option now, especially since they’re closing down a lot of shops. As a shopkeeper like me, I’m not likely to be reassigned any time soon."
Paper Kite nodded reluctantly.
"After you finish checking the inventory, could you come with me to Fengming Town?"
Shen Wang planned to take Paper Kite back with him.
"I’ll need to return to hand over the goods properly, which might take half a month or so."
Paper Kite shook her head.
"Alright, take care of it at your own pace, and don’t worry about your family. Even if you’re not a shopkeeper, I can provide for you."
Shen Wang held Paper Kite’s small hand comfortingly.
"Thank you, husband."
Paper Kite showed a joyous smile, feeling secure with this man to rely on.
"The deficit in the commerce association is one thing, but I suspect there’s also some internal sect faction struggles involved, so try to stay out of it."
Shen Wang speculated.
"It seems so; some people aren’t satisfied with our Yun Family taking all the benefits, using the deficit issue against us. But in reality, it’s normal to incur losses in the early stages of business."
"That’s a matter for the higher-ups; we don’t need to worry about it too much."
Shen Wang shook his head, "Since the shop is being withdrawn, it seems I can’t sell my talismans here."
"You still can; a few profitable shops will continue operating. It’s just that, husband, you’ll need to travel further, to Jin Province."
Paper Kite said with resignation, "If you don’t have many talismans, husband, sell them to a few other shops to save yourself the long trip."
"Alright, I’ll manage."
Shen Wang nodded, realizing he was not short of cultivation resources now, just various materials and techniques, which required transactions to obtain.
But unique items like spirit crystals couldn’t be brought out; he still had to rely on the old method of selling talismans for spirit stones.
"Oh, husband, I have some clues about the Black Poison you asked me to investigate."
Paper Kite mentioned the investigation Shen Wang had tasked her with.
"What’s the situation?"
Shen Wang felt a spark of interest; he needed to study this. Even if he hadn’t been poisoned, understanding it would provide a coping strategy if he encountered the Black Death Blade King again.
"The information came from Thousand Mechanisms Tower, related to a Poison Master. This Poison Master is known to use such poison, and apparently, no one has survived it."
Paper Kite spoke with a serious expression, "If you want to know more, husband, you’ll need to approach this Poison Master. It could be very dangerous."
"What level is this Poison Master?"
Shen Wang still needed to assess his own capabilities.
"A Great Poison Master, with achievements of poisoning no less than three Foundation Establishment Cultivators or Grandmasters. Quite formidable indeed."
Paper Kite added with fear, as poison masters are more feared than ordinary cultivators.
Shen Wang pondered for a while, gauging his own strength, and believed he could contact this person, "When did this person emerge, and do they have any background?"
"They became notable about ten years ago, active in the southwest’s Miao State Jade Silkworm Valley, nicknamed the Black Silkworm Lady. Usually, she wears a black veil, only known to be a woman, her appearance unclear, and age unknown. Her origin is very mysterious; no specific background is known, only that she poisoned over a hundred members of a martial arts clan to death, leaving no survivors, including one Grandmaster."
Paper Kite relayed her concerns, concluding, "That’s all the information I’ve obtained."
Shen Wang just needed to confirm this person wasn’t the Black Death Blade King, who should have been trapped in the cave mansion ten years ago, likely unrelated to this Great Poison Master.
"I’ll go and meet this Black Silkworm Lady; you continue handling the shop closure. I’ll go buy some things."
Paper Kite grabbed Shen Wang’s hand, "Husband, be very careful. These Poison Masters are dangerous; their poisons can defeat stronger opponents."
Shen Wang patted Paper Kite’s small hand, "Don’t worry. Where’s Du Juan?"
"She’s gone back, and there probably won’t be an opportunity to see her soon," Paper Kite replied.
"Then we’ll just wait."
Shen Wang stood up and left.